Ultrasonic Near-Field Communication via Audio Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near-field communication technologies require specialized hardware on mobile devices, limiting their functionality and versatility for short distance communication applications.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing standard components like microphones and speakers to enable near-field communication through audio signals in the 1 KHz to 22 KHz range, allowing for unidirectional and bidirectional data transmission without the need for specialized hardware, using techniques such as frequency encoding and error correction to ensure robustness and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized hardware is used for near-field communication, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling standard mobile device components (microphone and speaker) to perform near-field communication in addition to their primary audio functions. This allows the same hardware to serve multiple purposes: audio processing and NFC, eliminating the need for dedicated communication hardware while maintaining reliability through proven components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses acoustic wave copying to transmit data. Instead of requiring specialized electromagnetic communication hardware, the system encodes data into audible sound waves that can be captured by standard microphones. The receiving device decodes the acoustic signal to retrieve the transmitted information, effectively copying data through a different physical medium
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized hardware is added to mobile devices, then near-field communication capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By making standard audio components multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional manufacturing steps to install specialized NFC hardware. Mobile devices can be manufactured using existing audio components, and the near-field communication capability is achieved through software implementation rather than hardware modification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables standard mobile device components to serve themselves for near-field communication. The existing microphone and speaker, already present in all modern mobile devices, are repurposed to handle both audio processing and data transmission, making the device self-sufficient for NFC operations without requiring external specialized components
3Ease of manufacture
If standard components are used for near-field communication, then ease of manufacture is improved, but communication reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including error detection and correction codes in the data transmission protocol. The receiving device monitors the acoustic signal quality and requests retransmission when errors are detected, ensuring reliable data transfer despite the use of standard audio components susceptible to environmental interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating error correction codes and redundancy in the data encoding scheme before transmission. This prepares the system in advance to handle potential signal degradation, noise, or interference that may occur during acoustic transmission, ensuring data integrity without requiring specialized hardware
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and secure near-field communication between mobile devices and other devices, such as point-of-sale terminals, without the need for additional hardware, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies by providing reliable data transfer in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
The speakers of the source device may emit audio signals in these frequencies
Implementation Method 2
the microphone of the receiving device may receive the audio signals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for near-field communications with a mobile device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for near-field communication may comprise: detecting, by a source device located at a point-of-sale, the proximity of a receiving device; encoding purchase data on an audio signal with one or more ultrasonic frequencies; and transmitting the encoded purchase data to the receiving device, wherein the encoded purchase data is transmitted using a speaker of the source device.